Port Washington, NY (July 9, 2008) – Two-time NASCAR champion Greg Biffle and his wife Nicole, shown left with Mrs. Elisabeth Lewyt, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of North Shore Animal League America, were honored along with the Laura J. Niles Foundation, and animal protection advocate Jana Kohl, at the Seventh Annual Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon. The event, honoring a group of nine individuals and organizations whose service has rendered extraordinary benefits to North Shore Animal League America and its mission, was held recently at the Garden City Hotel, Garden City, NY with more than 300 guests in attendance.

The host was Dr. Debbye Turner, (pictured below, top, second from left) staff correspondent and resident veterinarian for CBS network’s The Early Show. Dr. Turner was the 2007 recipient of The Alex Lewyt Veterinary Medical Center Award.

Also attending the event was Beth Ostrosky, spokesperson for the America (pictured front right) who presented the Outstanding Corporate Support Award to Firstborn Multimedia. Included in the program were presentations of several videos depicting the on-going work of the 64-year old shelter. Among them was “Flight of an Angel,” the compelling story of an abandoned and abused Pit Bull terrier mix rescued and nurtured back to health by the Animal League. Angel, now fully restored to wellness and her adopters, Scott Kenney and Jeanette Schroeder, (pictured front, second and third from right) were introduced to the luncheon audience. (Also pictured, top far left, Kieran Crowley, New York Post, award recipient, and Julia Szabo, bottom, far left, New York Post, award recipient)

Accepting The President’s Award for Humanitarian Excellence was the Laura J. Niles Foundation, honored for its support of the Animal League’s Seniors for Seniors program and funding for mobile units used to save the lives of thousands of homeless animals. Greg and Nicole Biffle of the Greg Biffle Foundation received the Just One Award, presented for their ongoing support of animal rescues and life-saving spay/neuter programs and funding of puppy transports to the Animal League’s shelter. Author Jana Kohl received the Guardian Angel Award, offered for her stand against the inhumane treatment of animals bred for profit in puppy mills.

Also honored with Lewyt Humane Awards were: New York Post, Media Award of Distinction; felines Roxie and Molly, Scarlett Award for Animal Heroism; animal advocates Susan Ford and Kate Mizzoni, Spirit of Compassion Award; photographer Christopher Appoldt, Friend of the League Award; and Dr. Laura Gay Senk of the Long Island Cat Project, The Alex Lewyt Veterinary Medical Center Award.

Proceeds of the luncheon, named in honor of Animal League founders the late Alex Lewyt, and his wife Elisabeth Lewyt, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, benefit North Shore Animal League America’s mission to rescue, nurture and adopt more than 20,000 homeless animals annually. For additional information on ways to assist the work of the Animal League visit www.animal-league.org.